RU2692821C2 - System and method for modular skidding vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mass entertainment.

SUBSTANCE: system includes a plurality of vehicle modules (12, 14, 16, 18) for rolling, wherein each of plurality of vehicle modules (12, 14, 16, 18) for rolling includes locking system configured to perform engagement for connection with other vehicle modules (12, 14, 16, 18) for rolling for formation groups and disengagement operations for separation from other vehicle modules (12, 14, 16, 18) for riding throughout the attraction, control circuit (54) configured to control the locking system and movement of the corresponding vehicle module for rolling independently or as parts of said group, and communication circuit (52) configured to wirelessly communicate with other vehicle modules for rolling inside and / or outside said group. Disclosed also is method of changing size of groups of modules (12, 14, 16, 18) of vehicle for rolling throughout entire attraction.

EFFECT: group can change dimensions throughout the attraction by means of engagement and disengagement operations as required.

26 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The level of technology

Amusement parks, amusement parks, fairground mass entertainment and similar entertainment are commonly used to safely move one or more passengers throughout the ride. There are many types of amusement vehicles that are designed for specific types of amusement rides. For example, a roller coaster will include rails to which vehicles attach and move, simulators may imply a vehicle attached to a moving platform system, and include a display for simulation, and water rides may include a riding vehicle that has at least buoyancy abilities. Conventional amusement vehicles either include separate and separate vehicles, or composite amusement vehicles combined together (for example, the composition of carriages on fixed rails).

Brief description of the invention

Below is a brief description of some embodiments commensurate in size with the original patent subject matter. These embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention, and more precisely, these embodiments of are intended only to give a brief description of some disclosed embodiments. In fact, the present invention may encompass many species that may be similar or different from the embodiments described below.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the system includes a plurality of vehicle modules for riding, each of a plurality of vehicle modules for driving includes a locking system configured to perform clutch operations for connection with other vehicle modules for driving to form groups and operations of uncoupling to separate from other vehicle modules for riding throughout the whole ride, control circuit, ying to control said locking system and moving the respective vehicle module for driving independently or as a group, and a coupling circuit configured for wireless communication with other vehicle units for driving, the internal and / or external with respect to said group. The said group is adapted to resize throughout the whole attraction by performing coupling and disengaging operations, as required, by means of said control circuit of each of said plurality of vehicle modules for riding, controlling them with a locking system, and by means of said communication circuit coordinating operations between referred to by the plurality of vehicle modules for riding.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a plurality of vehicle modules for riding, configured to synchronously connect to each other in a group by means of any locking system located on one or more sides of each modular vehicle for driving. The plurality of vehicle modules for riding in the group are said to be movable together as one single vehicle for skiing by means of onboard control and communication circuits, and size changes by coupling with other vehicle modules for rolling or disengaging from previously connected vehicle modules for skiing throughout the whole attraction.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method includes determining, by control circuits, the required size of one or more groups of vehicle modules for riding throughout the ride, establishing, by means of control circuits and communication circuits, the size of said one or more groups, and implementing, by means of a control circuit adapted to control the interlock system located on each of the vehicle's modules for riding, and a communication circuit adapted to NOSTA communication between modules of the vehicle for driving, coupling and uncoupling operations by locking systems on the basis of said specified size of said one or more groups throughout the attraction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical reference numerals denote the same parts. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-F are a series of schematic drawings of embodiments of a single vehicle for riding, which is adapted to be divided into a plurality of smaller vehicle modules for riding, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a plurality of vehicle modules for riding, coupled and acting as a single vehicle for skiing, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a vehicle skating scheme in accordance with the present invention; FIG.

4A-4D are a series of views in perspective of embodiments of a connection cover between vehicle modules for riding, in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5H are a number of perspective views of embodiments of the locking system used during coupling operations in accordance with the present invention; FIG.

6A and 6B are perspective views of an embodiment of the “Airplane” vehicle for skiing and its disengagement features in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of an embodiment of a cinema vehicle for riding, and its decoupling features in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C are a series of top views of embodiments of vehicle modules for riding, forming a group size through coupling and disengaging operations during an attraction, in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig.9 - the process of forming the size of the vehicle group for riding during an attraction, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The embodiments described in this document relate to systems and methods for forming the dimensions of a group of a plurality of vehicle modules for riding through coupling and disengaging operations during an attraction. Grouped vehicle modules for riding can form a solid vehicle that can be rearranged into different modular subgroups (for example, intermediate vehicles) to achieve the desired ride effects (for example, the illusion of a single vehicle being phased into pieces). In particular, the embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for physically and / or virtually engaging and disengaging vehicle modules for riding. In this document, the modular concept of a vehicle for skating may relate to their formation from separate blocks, which will be described in more detail below, for easily tunable designs and configurations in groups of different sizes. Modular vehicles for riding can move either synchronously or asynchronously in groups of different sizes or as separate unit modules. At the beginning of the ride, the modules of the vehicle for riding can be essentially inseparably linked by means of a locking system so that they look like one single vehicle for skiing. In other words, visitors may get the impression that they belong to one completely integral and single vehicle for riding, then in fact it is a group of multiple modules of a vehicle for skiing, linked together. In fact, due to the method of coupling the modules of a vehicle for riding, visitors may not even realize that a single vehicle for riding can be divided into smaller groups of vehicle modules for riding.

In addition, in some embodiments, when the modules of the vehicle for riding are physically connected together in a group, they can also be electronically and communicatively coupled. That is, the skating vehicle circuits (e.g., control and communication circuits) may allow the connected skating vehicle modules to perform actions together as one single skating vehicle. In some embodiments, each individual vehicle skating module can be connected to a moving platform system, which allows actions to be performed in conjunction with other vehicle skating modules in a group, in accordance with the commands. In addition, when the vehicle's skating module is uncoupled from the group, it can act or act independently by using its control circuit (e.g., processor) to control the mobile platform system connected to it. For example, each vehicle module for skating includes an automation controller (for example, a programmable logic controller), and this controller can communicate with other controllers of other modules of the vehicle for skating (for example, assigning the main controller and slave auxiliary controllers) when the transport modules the means are connected in groups in order to carry out a single movement of the whole group or a single modular vehicle for riding. It should be noted that in this document, the modules of the vehicle for skiing may be called automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which can be defined as mobile vehicles that are able to follow specified trajectories, to move with six degrees of freedom (for example, to make turns relative to the longitudinal axis , turns about a transverse axis, turns about a vertical axis, longitudinal movement, vertical movement and swinging) and interlock and uncoupling tsya other similar AGV.

To clarify, in some embodiments, visitors may enter the “Airplane” modular vehicle for riding, which may look like a simulator of one large single vehicle for riding. When the aircraft takes off during its simulation, control and communication circuits can command the vehicle modules for skating in the front of a single vehicle for skating “Airplane” to turn upwards relative to the transverse axis, and the vehicle modules for rolling in the rear of a single vehicle for riding "Airplane" to turn down relative to the transverse axis. At the same time, during flight simulation flight, an aircraft can simulate a catastrophe by disengaging a plurality of vehicle modules for riding, for example, separation in the middle of an aircraft. After that, the front half of the “Airplane” skating vehicle (for example, the first subset of vehicle modules of the original modular unit) can turn and start moving down one route in the attraction, and the rear half of the “Airplane” skating vehicle (for example, the second subset vehicle modules of the original modular unit) can turn and start moving down another route in the attraction. Each half or intermediate group (corresponding group of vehicle modules) of the “Airplane” vehicle for riding can act as a single vehicle for riding together under the control of the respective processors (for example, automation controller processors) in communication with each other. In addition, each track may provide a different plot and / or movement, so the visitor can get a lot of different impressions during the following rides.

Further along the ride, either of the two or both halves of the original group, which in this example was a whole plane, may encounter an event that causes another uncoupling of vehicle modules for riding into smaller intermediate groups. The size of the riding vehicle group may continue to decrease in size to the required. In fact, the destruction can continue until all the modules of the vehicle for skiing are separated, so that individual visitors or subgroups of visitors discover only part of the attraction. Then, when the attraction approaches the end, or the visitors leave their vehicle's module for riding, the modules of the vehicle for skiing can be reconnected by performing clutch operations to restore the original group. This allows you to prepare the original vehicle for skiing "Airplane" for the next group of visitors who wish to experience the effect of the attraction. It should be noted that the aircraft was used as an example of a vehicle for skiing and is not intended to limit the invention. As can be understood, the intrinsically connected modules of an attraction vehicle, which look like a single vehicle for skiing, which can subsequently split up unexpectedly, can reinforce the visitor’s impression by providing surprise and more than one impression depending on where the visitor originally sits.

Turning first to FIGS. 1A-1F, a series of schematic drawings of embodiments of a single vehicle for skiing is shown, which can be divided into a plurality of smaller vehicle modules for skiing. Beginning with FIG. 1A, a single vehicle 10 is described for riding, which may include four separate vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 for riding and a fence (for example, a wall and / or a ceiling) 20. Each of four separate vehicle modules 12, 14, 16, and 18 may include a plurality of seats 22. Fencing 20 may include one or more entrance ways 24 and one or more output ways 26 from a single vehicle 10 for riding. It should be noted that, while four separate vehicle modules for riding are shown, the present invention allows the use of any number of vehicle modules for riding coupled to form a single vehicle 10 for riding. In fact, in some embodiments, each individual seat 22 is part of its own separate vehicle module for riding. Thus, if a single vehicle for skating includes twenty-five seats, then it may include twenty-five separate modules of the vehicle for skating, etc.

As shown, the individual vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 for riding can be coupled together and surrounded by a fence 20 to look like one single vehicle 10 for riding, rather than four separate vehicle modules for riding. The individual modules of the vehicle for riding can be quadrilateral and can interlock with each other on any of their four sides. That is, the modules of the vehicle for skating can interlock the front and rear sides and / or the sides with other modules of the vehicle for skating. As described in detail below, vehicle modules for riding can be coupled together in a variety of ways using a locking system. In addition, vehicle modules for riding may include on-board simulators, moving platform systems, a clutch system (for example, tires, treads, etc.) for driving and / or connecting to a guide, watercraft (for example, a raft), a drive for driving and / or pushing a vehicle module for riding, a navigation system, a suspension system, a vehicle driving scheme for controlling a vehicle module for riding and communicating with other transport modules o funds for riding, among other things.

In some embodiments, the implementation of a single vehicle 10 for riding can be an airplane, and modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 of a vehicle for riding can be different parts of the aircraft, separated by passages that hide the connections between vehicles for riding. In another embodiment, a single vehicle 10 for riding may be a cinema, and the modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 of a vehicle for riding may be parts of a theater that are separated by aisles that break the connections between the modules of the vehicle for riding. In any embodiment, the disclosed methods allow to combine a plurality of individual vehicle modules for riding into a single vehicle 10 attraction, which looks like a single vehicle. In addition, as described in detail below, in some embodiments, the modules of the vehicle for riding can be connected to systems of mobile platforms that are controlled by control circuits and communication circuits included in the modules of the vehicle for rolling. Essentially, mobile platform systems can be controlled together to move (for example, make turns about a transverse axis, turns about a longitudinal axis, vibration, longitudinal movement, vertical movement and swinging) of a single vehicle 10 for rolling, which consists of vehicle modules for skiing, as one whole block.

During an attraction, separation (for example, carrying out tripping operations) of a single vehicle 10 for skiing may be initiated by computer commands stored on a non-volatile computer-readable medium (for example, a memory system) by signals received from a control system at a distance from the vehicle skating, fixed pistes or the like In some embodiments, the implementation, the mentioned initiation may be in response to an event occurring in the attraction, such as a simulated disaster, explosion, natural disaster, dinosaur / beast attack, etc. As a result, FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of a single vehicle 10 for riding, performing decoupling operations for separation (for example, uneven lines 32 depict vertical separation) into two different intermediate single vehicles 28 and 30 for skiing. As shown, intermediate unified skating vehicles were vertically separated, however, since the modules of the vehicle for skating are capable of engaging on any of their four sides, the separation can also be done horizontally. It should be noted that the enclosure 20 surrounding the vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 for skating can use the methods described in this document to separate in the same way as the modules of the vehicle for skating. In some embodiments, a containment system may be used to keep visitors physically, so that they are separated from any rupture zones. In addition, the gap zone can be placed at a sufficiently large distance from the seats of visitors to avoid difficulties during adhesion.

Each of the intermediate unified vehicles 20 and 30 for riding is a group of two separate vehicle modules for riding. Namely, the intermediate single vehicle 28 for riding includes the vehicle modules 12 and 18 for riding, and the intermediate single vehicle 30 for riding includes the modules 14 and 16 of the vehicle for skiing. Therefore, the intermediate single attraction vehicle 28 can function as a single vehicle for riding by driving the modules of the vehicle 12 and 18 for driving together using their control circuits and communication schemes. The same can be valid for intermediate single vehicle 30 for riding and its coupled vehicle modules 14 and 16 for riding.

As mentioned above, the modules of the vehicle for riding can perform coupling and disengagement operations on all four of its sides. It is advisable to use this feature during an attraction to further reduce the size (s) of a group of vehicle modules for riding, when certain events occur. For clarification, FIG. 1C shows a single vehicle 10 for riding of FIG. 1A, disengaging each individual vehicle module 12, 14, 16, and 18 for riding on two of its four sides. As you can see, each individual vehicle module 12, 14, 16 and 18 for riding is freed from other modules of the vehicle for skiing and can remain on its own track, undergoing a completely different scenario and / or movements, which will be described in more detail below.

Thus, each individual vehicle module 12, 14, 16 and 18 for riding can move independently. For example, FIG. 1D shows a vehicle module 12 for riding, unhooked from a single vehicle for riding, which is able to move forward and backward (arrows 36), side to side (arrows 38) and turn right and left (arrows 40). You must understand that any single vehicle for riding, which includes many modules (for example, 10, 28 and 30) of a vehicle for riding, can also be moved in any direction as one unit.

In addition, a fence (for example, walls and / or a ceiling) 20, which can be connected to and surrounding the modules of the vehicle for skiing, can be removed during the ride. As shown in FIG. 1E, a portion of the enclosure 20 may be separated from the vehicle module 12 for riding. Removing the guard 20 may be desirable depending on the type of attraction. For example, in an attraction in which simulated dinosaurs attack a crashed plane and tear down part of a wall or ceiling, the presence of fences (for example, walls and / or ceilings) 20 or parts thereof, which are disconnected from each other and separated from their respective vehicle modules, may be preferred. In fact, fencing 20, which is designed to be removable, may further enhance the impressions and arousal levels of visitors during an attraction.

In some embodiments, the ceiling can be physically removed by means of a robot (for example, a robot made in the form of a dinosaur, a giant, etc.) located within the attraction, and the side wall of the vehicle for skiing can be removed directly under the vehicle for skiing . Alternatively, the side wall is also configured to be removed by the robot. In addition, in some embodiments, a transparent wall (e.g., acrylic glass) may be provided, which remains in place after the wall has been removed, in order to avoid difficulties in reconnecting the wall and / or holding any loose items within the vehicle for skating. In other embodiments, a containment system may be used to physically hold visitors so that they are separated from any rupture zones. This may include the use of at least locking knee strips, overhead locking chest straps, seat belts, or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1F, in some embodiments, the vehicle module 12 for skating may be an intermediate single vehicle for skating and include a plurality of seats 22 that can be attached to their own separate vehicle modules 42 for skating. Thus, during the ride, the intermediate single vehicle 12 for skiing can perform disengagement operations for separating as many times as required, until each individual seat 22 and its vehicle module 42 for skiing act independently. For example, a visitor may end an attraction by floating in a canoe (for example, a casing with which the vehicle module 42 for riding is connected during a part of the attraction) on the river alone. Thus, the modules of the vehicle for skiing can move asynchronously in different parts of the attraction. Thus, on some routes of the attraction, vehicle modules for skiing can be disengaged in response to certain events, terrain, plot lines, etc., and moved asynchronously, and other routes, vehicle modules for skiing can move synchronously and connect again in response to events, terrain, storylines and so on. In addition, in some embodiments, the implementation of completely independent elements of the attraction can be connected to the modules of the vehicle for riding. For example, during the dark part of the attraction, the vehicle module 42 for riding may be connected to an element that forces the module 42 of the vehicle for skiing to change its physical appearance (for example, from a fragment of an airplane into a canoe). Thanks to the described clutch operations and the modular aspect of riding vehicles, many different impressions can be provided in one ride, thereby stimulating visitors to ride the ride again.

To further clarify aspects of the invention, FIG. 2 includes a perspective view of an embodiment of a plurality of riding vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 coupled and acting as one single riding vehicle 10. As mentioned above, the modules of the vehicle for riding can be connected together physically and / or virtually. A physical connection may be provided by a blocking system, described below, or the like. Vehicle modules for riding can be virtually connected through the vehicle's on-board skiing scheme (for example, a communication, control, and / or sensor circuitry), which allows vehicle modules for skiing to act together as a single vehicle for skiing. That is, the modules of the vehicle for riding can coordinate movements in order to perform actions as one unit. In fact, a single vehicle 10 for skating can be kept flat when turning about a transverse axis, turning about a longitudinal axis, etc., by coordinating the movement of each associated vehicle module for skating accordingly. For example, if an attraction requires that a single vehicle 10 for skiing is tilted to the right, vehicle modules for skiing on the right side of a single vehicle 10 for skiing can tilt down, and vehicle modules for skiing on the left side of a single vehicle 10 for skiing lean up. As a result, the left edge of the single vehicle 10 for riding will be at the highest point, and the rest of the vehicle 10 for skiing will slope down as a single platform to the lowest point on the right edge.

The integrated movement of a single vehicle 10 for riding can be provided by means of a system 44 of mobile platforms and a system 45 of suspension attached to each of the platforms 46 of the coupled vehicle modules for riding. The systems 44 of the mobile platforms can be controlled by the skating vehicle circuits included in each vehicle skating module, which will be described in detail below. Vehicle circuits for riding may include computer commands stored on a tangible, non-volatile computer-readable medium (e.g., memory, memory) that are executed by control circuits (e.g., processors) to indicate that the skating vehicles move as required. Alternatively, the vehicle circuits for skating may receive commands or instructions from a remote source, such as a control system located outside the vehicle for skating, to indicate to the vehicles for skating to move as required. For example, vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 for skiing can communicate with each other so that systems 44 of mobile platforms and system 45 of the suspension of the right modules of a vehicle for ski tilt platforms 46 attached to them downwards, and systems 44 of mobile platforms and the suspension systems 45 of the left vehicle modules for skiing simultaneously rotate the platforms 46 attached thereto to simulate the physical effects associated with right-hand turn at high speed.

In addition, each vehicle module for riding may include an on-board simulator (not shown), which provides a visual reproducing device and a sound reproducing device. Mobile platform systems 44 can be synchronized with a visual reproducing device and a sound reproducing device to provide visitors with an organic and realistic immersive impression. When the modules of the vehicle for riding are linked in the form of a single vehicle 10 for riding, the signals of the visual reproducing device and the audio reproducing device of each module of the vehicle for riding can be synchronized so that the impression created is holistic. In addition, the suspension system 45 can be adaptable to respond to the movements of simulators to ensure a holistic impression. For example, suspension system 45 may use a shock-absorbing fluid in shock absorbers, which can be controlled by exciting a fluid with a magnet. The magnets can be programmed to react synchronously with simulators to change the suspension at the desired times. In addition, mobile platform systems 44 may include a clutch system (eg, tires, treads) 48, which allows movement, connection to the track, and / or the like. Movable platform systems 44 may increase displacement characteristics, such as speed and acceleration, when the vehicle's skid module is driven.

In another embodiment, vehicle modules for riding may not be attached to moving platform systems or may not include on-board simulators. Instead, these vehicle modules for skating are designed to move on and from various systems of mobile platforms and simulators located throughout the ride. It should be noted that vehicle modules for riding, which do not include moving platform systems, can nevertheless perform clutch operations and are capable of forming the size of the group throughout the ride. In fact, this embodiment of a vehicle skating module may also include vehicle skating circuits configured to continuously or independently control the vehicle skating modules and communicate with other vehicle skating modules, systems, and the like.

Since unified riding vehicles and / or vehicle modules for riding can be driven without a fixed track, the navigation system can be used to control their movements by tracking their position and, if necessary, making adjustments. There are several embodiments of navigation systems that can be used to track the tracks of vehicle modules for riding, including a gyroscopic navigation system, a wire-driven navigation system, and / or a laser-guided navigation system. The gyroscopic navigation system can track the position of the vehicle's skating modules by counting the number of revolutions performed by its wheels. The advantage of using a gyroscopic navigation system is that it allows the programmer to simply program the trajectory of the vehicle's modules for riding in order to ensure future course changes due to the absence of a fixed track and reference points needed to determine their position. In addition, visual guidance can be used, which provides stereoscopic cameras along the modules of the vehicle for riding, which monitor the objects around them and create a virtual three-dimensional space for counting their position and controlling their movement accordingly.

Additionally or alternatively, a wire-driven system is capable of determining the position of vehicle modules for riding on their path, or a laser-guided system can reflect laser beams from a reflective tape placed along the path to track the position of the vehicle modules for skiing . In any embodiment, a plurality of sensors may be provided that are used to transmit position data back to the control circuits included in each of the modules of the vehicle for riding. For example, a laser-guided system may include a turret attached to a skating vehicle module that emits laser beams in different directions on different objects, and the skating circuits of a vehicle are able to determine its position based on the distance measured from these objects. This can provide vehicle skating modules with the advantage of knowing the distance between them in order to synchronize movements for clutch operations.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the vehicle modules 12, 14, 16, and 18 for riding can be driven along a trackless path. Thus, each vehicle module for riding may include a drive system. There are several different embodiments of a drive system that can be used, including electric or hydraulic. In one embodiment, the drive system may use multiple electric motors to drive the vehicle skating module, and the electric motors may be asynchronous or synchronous. In another embodiment, a hydraulic system may be used that includes a fluid based system. The advantage of using a hydraulic system is that the cost of self-lubrication and maintenance are less than with other types of drive systems. As mentioned above, when the modules of the vehicle for skiing are separated, they can be set in motion and moved (for example, moved, rotated relative to the transverse axis, rotated relative to the longitudinal axis, rotated) independently due to their separately fixed systems 44 mobile platforms, navigation systems , vehicle skating patterns, drive systems and clutch systems 48

In addition, in some embodiments, the implementation for power supply of the vehicle module for riding and any on-board elements, such as circuits of the vehicle for riding, a sound reproducing device and a visual reproducing device of the simulator, etc., the vehicle module for riding may include yourself onboard rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, vehicle skating modules may include current collectors attached to the bottom of vehicles that can be connected to inductive earthing plates installed throughout the ride for recharging. In an alternative embodiment, a wireless charging system may be used, which includes a main coil in a charging panel mounted on the ground and an auxiliary coil in a receiver attached to the modules of the vehicle for riding. Mentioned charging panel can transfer electricity to the receiver when the charging panel and the receiver combine to charge the battery.

With this in mind, FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of various elements that may be part of the vehicle circuits 50 for riding each vehicle module for riding and can be used to perform coupling operations and summing movements and / or simulations between vehicle modules for skating, among other things. As shown, the vehicle circuits 50 for riding may include a communication circuit 52, a processor 54 (for example, a control circuit), sensors 55, a memory 56, a memory 58, and the like. The communication circuit 52 may be a wireless or wired communication element that may provide communication between the modules of the vehicle for riding and other systems (for example, control systems) and / or devices. Communication circuit 52 may conform to industry standards, such as IEEE 802.11b / g. For example, when a single vehicle for skiing is divided into different intermediate groups, the communication circuit 52 may allow the modules of the vehicle for skiing, included in the intermediate groups, to coordinate clutch operations in order to once again become a single vehicle for skiing. In addition, when the modules of the vehicle for riding interlock as a single vehicle for skiing, the communication circuit 52 can operate as a single unit. The processor 54 may be any type of computer processor or microprocessor capable of executing a computer program. In some embodiments, processor 54 may be one or more microprocessors.

In addition, there are several embodiments of the architecture of the processor 54. For example, in one embodiment, one central processor 54 can directly process all data from communication circuits 52, sensors 55, and the like. In another embodiment, a plurality of subsystems may be provided, each of which contains a processor 54, which transmits data to the central processor 54 to make more complex decisions. For example, the navigation system may include processor 54, communication circuit 52 may include processor 54, sensors 55 may include processor 54, etc., which transmit data to central processor 54. The use of multiple processors 54 may provide reservation. To coordinate the movements between the coupled vehicle modules for riding, in one embodiment, one coupled vehicle module for riding can be designated as the main controller, and other linked vehicle modules for riding can be assigned as slave controllers. In this embodiment, the main controller processor 54 may transmit information related to the control of the entire group to the slave controllers via the communication circuits 52, and the processors 54 of the slave controllers may determine how to respond relative to their position in the group to move together.

As noted above, the sensors 55 can allow to determine where a given vehicle module for riding is located in the attraction and how to synchronously move and connect with other modules of the vehicle for skiing, among other things. The memory 56 and the storage device 58 may be any suitable finished product that is capable of serving as storage media for processor-executable code, data, or the like. These finished products may be tangible computer-readable media (i.e., any suitable type of tangible memory or storage) that can store processor-executable code used by processor 54 to implement the methods disclosed in this document. Memory 56 and memory 58 may also be used to store video and audio information.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4D, which include a number of promising types of embodiments of a connecting line cover between vehicle modules for skiing, in accordance with the present invention. In general, the connecting line between the coupled vehicle modules for riding can be closed by using patterns, recesses, lighting / shading, covering materials (eg carpet), etc., on the surface of the platforms of the vehicle modules for riding. The closure of the connecting line between the modules of the vehicle for riding enhances the visibility that the coupled modules of the vehicle for riding represent one single vehicle for riding. The methods described below can be applied when the modules of the vehicle for rolling are hooked on the sides and / or the front and rear sides.

In view of the foregoing, FIG. 4A shows the modules 12 and 14 of the vehicle for riding, which are connected by sides. In some embodiments, the platform surface of the vehicle's skating module may include lines 60, which may be rail lights that form aisles. As can be understood, such a passage may resemble passages that typically exist in airplanes and / or movie theaters. In other embodiments, the lines 60 may be in-depth grooves in the platform that may be darkened (for example, with paint, shadows), deep, and the like. As shown, the connecting line 62 between the modules 12 and 14 of the vehicle for skiing is directly adjacent to the lines 60, so the gap where the two platforms converge can look like one piece when placing a rail light or another recessed groove. The rail light can be used to cast a shadow onto the connecting line 62 for additional masking. In addition, the sides of the platforms can be made wedge-shaped 64. The wedge-shaped platforms can be combined with each other in such a way as to prevent light from coming out of the bottom of the vehicle's modules for rolling and opening the connecting line 62, among other things. In addition, as described above, the distance between the seats 22 and the connecting line 62 (for example, the break point) can be a sufficient distance 66 to prevent any difficulties in coupling (for example, connecting) the vehicle modules for riding together during the ride.

In another embodiment, FIG. 4B shows the concealment of the connecting line 62 between the interlocking sides of the vehicle modules 12 and 14 for riding by using a zigzag pattern. This drawing may be part of a carpet placed on the surface of the platforms of the vehicle modules for riding, painted on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for riding, recessed in the form of grooves on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for rolling or something like that. The above pattern can cover the entire surface of the platform or only part of it. You can use a carpet or paint of dark colors (for example, black, gray) to mask the connecting line 62. In addition, if the zigzag lines are deep grooves, then these grooves can also be darkened with paint and / or shading. The sides of the platforms can be zigzag-shaped, so that the corresponding teeth can mutually close when coupling.

In another embodiment, FIG. 4C shows the concealment of the connecting line 62 between the connected lateral sides of the vehicle modules 12 and 14 for riding through the use of a mutually closing square pattern. This pattern may be part of a carpet placed on the surface of the platforms of the vehicle modules for riding, painted on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for riding, recessed in the form of grooves on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for rolling or something like that. The above pattern can cover the entire surface of the platform or only part of it. You can use a carpet or paint of dark colors (for example, black, gray) to mask the connecting line 62. In addition, if the mutually closed squares mentioned are indented grooves, then these grooves can also be darkened with paint and / or shading. The sides of the platforms can be made in the form of mutually closed squares, so that the corresponding teeth can be combined when connecting.

In another embodiment, the platform surface of one of the vehicle skid modules may include a flip part that extends onto the joined skating vehicle module to completely close the connecting line 62. This flap part may be made of carpet, rubber and .P. It may include a pattern that merges with the pattern located on the surfaces of the platforms of the vehicle modules for riding, so that the platforms look like one.

FIG. 4D shows vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 for riding, which are coupled together by lateral sides and front rear sides. In this embodiment, the side connection line 62 and the front and rear connection line 68 are hidden as part of the cell pattern. As described above, the cellular pattern can be part of a carpet placed on the surfaces of the platforms of the vehicle modules for riding, painted on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for rolling, deepened in the form of grooves on the surfaces of the platforms of the modules of the vehicle for rolling or something like that . You can use a carpet or paint of dark colors (for example, black, gray) to mask the connecting line 62 as a bounding line. In addition, if the lines that form the cell pattern are deep grooves, these grooves can also be darkened with paint and / or shading. This can help to hide the connecting lines 62 and 68 as part of the design, so that the visitor has the impression that the connected vehicle modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 are essentially one single and completely complete vehicle for riding.

Further, paying attention to how the modules of the vehicle for riding physically cling together, FIGS. 5A-5M include a number of promising types of embodiments of the locking system, which can be used by the modules of the vehicle for riding to perform clutch operations, in accordance with the present an invention. The disclosed embodiments of the locking system can be placed on the sides, the front and / or the back of each of the modules of the vehicle for riding. In some embodiments, the implementation of the control system of the lock can be carried out by means of a vehicle skating circuit 50 contained in the vehicle skating module. For example, a vehicle skating circuit 50 may receive a feedback signal when the vehicle's skating modules are completely locked in place. The feedback signal can be obtained through sensors (for example, proximity proximity sensors) located on the sides, front and / or rear side of vehicles for riding. Using this information, vehicle skating circuit 50 can communicate with blocked vehicle skid modules so that it acts as a single vehicle for skating. In addition, the vehicle skating circuit 50 may receive a feedback signal (for example, via sensors) when the vehicle skid modules are uncoupled. Using this information, vehicle skating circuit 50 may continue to drive the vehicle skating module with any remaining connected vehicle skid modules or, if the vehicle skating module remains on its own, drive the vehicle module for riding independently. In addition, the locking system ensures the functioning of the vehicle's modules for skiing as a single unit by means of a rigid and durable coupling.

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a locking system including a rail lock 70 with T-screws. T-screws 72 can be mounted on the first vehicle for skiing and pulled parallel to the floor until required. When initiating or issuing a vehicle skating circuit 50 to connect with an approaching skating vehicle module, the T-screws 72 can be retracted to pass through the rail 74 in the approaching skating vehicle module and rotate to fasten as shown. In this case, the first vehicle skating module may pull away the T-screws 72 in order to bring the connected vehicle skids as close as possible. Rail lock 70 with T-screws can include thick rubber gaskets 76 that prevent the T-screws from rotating 72 and provide firm retention inside the rail 74 to ensure consistency, among other things. The t-screws 72 can be rotated again, when a command is received, it is detached from the connected vehicle module for riding, and the t-screws 72 can be pulled back to their original position. This ensures fast tripping between vehicle modules for riding. It should be noted that each vehicle skating module may include T-screws 72 and / or rail 74 placed in any combination on its sides, front and / or rear side, in order to improve the modular design.

In another embodiment, figv-5C show the locking system, which includes a lock 80 with a shutter. As shown in FIG. 5B, the locking element 82 may be placed on the first vehicle module 84 for riding, and the shutter 86 may be placed inside on the second module 88 of the vehicle for rolling. When initiating and issuing a vehicle skating circuit 50 to connect with the second vehicle skid 88, the locking element 82 may be guided through the opening 90 in the second skid of the vehicle 88. Then, the shutter 86 can be inserted through the lock to close and hold the modules 84 and 88 of the vehicle for riding in place, as shown in Fig. 5C. The shutter 86 may be removed from the locking element 82, upon receipt of a command to disengage from the connected skid vehicle module, and the locking element 82 may be drawn from the second skid vehicle module 88 by disengaging the first skating vehicle module 84. If it is necessary to strengthen the connection, a plurality of valves 86 and / or locking elements 82 can be placed along the sides, the front and rear sides of the vehicle module for rolling.

In another embodiment, fig.5D-5E show the locking system, which includes an electromagnetic lock 94, placed on the modules of the vehicle for riding. When initiating or issuing a vehicle attraction circuit 50 to connect with another vehicle module for riding, electromagnets 96 can be supplied with current to attract the necessary vehicle modules for riding to each other, as shown in Figure 5E. Upon receiving the command to disengage, the current supplied to the electromagnets 96 can be disconnected, and the modules of the vehicle for riding can be separated and driven independently or in conjunction with any remaining connected modules of the vehicle for skiing. If it is necessary to strengthen the connection, a plurality of electromagnets 96 can be placed along the sides, the front and the rear side of the vehicle module for riding.

In another embodiment, FIGS. 5F-5G show a locking system including a latch lock 100. As shown in FIG. 5F, a shutter 102 can be placed on the first vehicle module 104 for skating, and a groove 106 can be placed on the second module 108 of the vehicle for riding. When the vehicle circuit 50 initiates or issues an attraction command to carry out clutch operations, the shutter 102 may be inserted into and lowered into the groove 106 of the second vehicle module 108 for riding by means of a mechanism, as shown in FIG. 5G. Upon receiving the command to unhook, said mechanism may receive a command to raise the shutter 102 and remove it from the groove 106 of the second vehicle module 108 for riding. If necessary, hardening the connection many locks 96 with a latch can be placed along the sides, front and rear sides of the vehicle module for riding.

In another embodiment, FIG. 5H shows a locking system including a lock 110 with connecting elements and a locking pin. As shown in FIG. 5H, the connecting members 112 can be attached and extended from the first vehicle module 114 for riding, and the other connecting element 112 can be attached to and continue from the second vehicle module 116 for riding. When initiating or issuing by the vehicle circuit 50 for rolling, the coupling elements 112 of the first and second modules 114 and 116 of the vehicle for skating can be combined, and the mechanism of either the first module 114 of the vehicle for skating or the second module 116 of the vehicle for skating can insert the locking pin 118 through the fasteners 112 for fastening. Upon receiving the command to disengage, the locking pin 118 can be removed from the connecting elements 112 by means of the mechanism, and the modules of the vehicle for rolling can be separated, thereby separating the connecting elements 112. If necessary, strengthening the connection, a plurality of locking pins 118 and connecting elements 112 can be placed along the sides, front and rear sides of the vehicle modules for riding.

Figures 6A and 6B include perspective views of an embodiment of the airplane 130 skating vehicle and show the release capability in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A, the “Airplane” vehicle 130 includes two coupled vehicle modules 132 and 134 for riding, walls 136, and ceilings 138. Each vehicle module 132 and 134 for riding may include a plurality of seats 22 arranged in groups of different sizes. The vehicle 130 for riding “Airplane” may be located opposite the display screen 140 or the display screen 140 may be attached to each vehicle module 132 and 134 for riding. In this embodiment, the connecting line 142 divides two rows of seats 22 down the aisle between them. The methods for hiding the connecting line 142 described above can be used. It should be noted that if other modules of the vehicle for skiing are attached by the sides, any number of rows of seats 22 may be provided. In addition, other modules of the vehicle for skiing may be provided attached to front and / or rear side of the vehicle modules 132 and 134 for riding. In fact, a plurality of vehicle modules for skating can be coupled, and their connecting lines can be hidden so that the vehicles for skating look like one large vehicle 130 for skating "Airplane", which functions as one whole unit. For example, when simulating take-off, the front of the vehicle 130 for skating "Airplane" can rotate relative to the transverse axis upward, and the rear part of the vehicle 130 for skating "Airplane" can rotate relative to the transverse axis downward.

The “airplane” skating vehicle 130 may or may not include moving platform systems attached to each modular skidding vehicle. Each vehicle module for riding, coupled together in the vehicle 130 for riding "Airplane", includes wheels 144, which allow it to move and / or connect to the roller coaster during an amusement ride. In addition, walls 136 and ceilings 138 may be joined together so that visitors may not realize that they are disconnected. For example, connecting line 146 may resemble connecting lines, usually existing on airplanes, where two external metal panels are connected. That is, on the outside, both walls 136 and ceilings 138 may include bolts or fasteners around connecting line 146 to resemble a real aircraft. At the same time, from the inside, the connecting line 146 may look like a recess where the two wall panels converge together. The above-described methods for masking the connecting line of the platform surface, such as shading, drawings, etc., can be used. As a result, when entering the vehicle for skiing in its fully integrated configuration, visitors may have the impression that the walls and ceilings will remain unharmed as a single unit throughout the ride.

Fig.6B shows the capabilities of the vehicle for riding "Airplane" for disengaging the modules 132 and 134 of the vehicle for riding. In addition, the illustrated embodiment shows that the ceilings 138 of the modules of the vehicle for riding are designed to be detachable and / or removed. As described above, the vehicle skating circuitry enclosed in each of the vehicle skating modules can follow instructions for physically disconnecting (for example, detaching) from another vehicle skating module. This can be triggered by some event that occurs during an attraction. For example, the airplane 130 skating vehicle can crash into a mountain or hit a hurricane that causes its destruction, among other things. In this case, the airplane 130 for skating “Airplane” can be divided into parts anywhere, so that the modules of the vehicle for skating are connected at will (for example, lateral sides, front and rear sides).

The drawing shows the “Airplane” vehicle 130, vertically divided in the middle, however, it should be understood that the methods disclosed in this document allow the Airplane 130 to ride, separated by any number of methods (for example, horizontally in the middle). Each vehicle module 132 and 134 for skiing can function independently after it is uncoupled from another vehicle module for skiing. This allows each vehicle skating module 132 and 134 to move along a separate trajectory in the ride. For example, vehicle skating module 132 may fall onto the mountain into which the plane crashes, by attaching to a roller coaster and vertical fall, and another vehicle skating module 134 may land in the forest. The skating vehicle module 134 may also be encountered with the animated dinosaur 148, which breaks the ceiling 138. The uneven line 146 depicts the connection line between the ceilings 138 and the walls 136 where they can be disconnected. It should also be noted that the walls can also be torn, by means of driving under vehicles for skating, being physically removed, or the like. In addition, both vehicle modules 132 and 134 can be moved to and from moving platform systems and / or located in simulators throughout the ride. Thus, each vehicle skating unit 132 and 134 may be subjected to different simulations and / or movements that provide different impressions on the same attraction.

In addition, FIGS. 7A and 7B include perspective views of an embodiment of the vehicle 150 for riding “Cinema” and show its disengagement capacity in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, a cinema vehicle 150 for riding includes four vehicle modules 152, 154, 156, and 158 coupled along connecting lines 160. A cinema vehicle 150 for driving can include walls and ceilings (shown by dotted lines 162) and multiple inlets 164 and outlets 166. However, in some embodiments, walls and ceiling 162 may not be connected to modules 152, 154, 156 and 158 of the vehicle for skiing. Each vehicle module 152, 154, 156 and 158 for riding may include a plurality of seats 22 arranged in groups of different sizes. The cinema vehicle 150 for skating may be located opposite the video display screen 140. Alternatively, each vehicle module 152, 154, 156, and 158 for riding may include on-board simulators (not shown) including sound reproduction devices and video display screens 140. In some embodiments, the vehicle modules for riding may use the methods described above for hiding the connecting lines 160 on the surface of the platform 46. As shown, the connecting lines 160 are invisible on the surface of the platforms 46 of the vehicle modules for riding. As a result, visitors can perceive this space as a regular cinema. That is, visitors may not even be aware that they hit the attraction. In fact, visitors may be under the impression that they are in a kind of cinema simulator that does not move or collapse.

It should be noted that any number of vehicle modules for riding may be provided attached by the sides and / or the front and rear sides, and they may contain any number of seats 22, if desired. In fact, a plurality of vehicle modules for riding can be interlocked, and their connection lines can be hidden, so that the modules of a vehicle for skiing look like one big movie theater. In addition, the circuit 50 of the coupled modules of the vehicle for riding provides synchronized operation as a single vehicle 150 for riding "Cinema". For example, when simulating earthquakes, jolts or the like. the front part of the cinema 150 can be rotated upwards relative to the transverse axis, and the rear part of the cinema 150 can be simultaneously rotated downward around the transverse axis repeatedly.

A cinema vehicle 150 for skating may or may not include moving platform systems 44 attached to each vehicle module 152, 154, 156, and 158 for skating. However, in the shown embodiment, the vehicle 150 for cinema "Cinema" includes a system 44 of mobile platforms attached to each module 152, 154, 156 and 158 of the vehicle for riding. Mobile platform systems 44 may include a clutch system (e.g., wheels) 48 that provides movement and / or connection to the roller coaster tracks throughout the ride. In addition, walls and ceiling 162 may be joined together so that visitors may not realize that they are collapsing. For example, connecting lines may resemble connecting lines, usually visible on connected walls and a ceiling in a room. Alternatively, curtains commonly used in movie theaters may cover connecting lines. The above-described methods of masking the connecting line on the surface of the platform 46, such as shading, drawings, etc., can be used to hide the lines of connection between the walls and the ceiling. As a result, visitors entering a whole group of vehicle modules may be under the impression that the walls and ceilings will remain intact as one unit throughout the entire attraction.

FIG. 7B shows the ability of the vehicle to ride the Cinema to uncouple the vehicle's modules 152, 154, 156 and 158 for riding. In addition, the walls and / or ceiling 162 of the vehicle modules for riding shown previously are designed to be detachable and / or removed. In some embodiments, walls and / or ceiling 162 may be removed by a robot, mechanical arm, or the like. Alternatively, the walls may retract under the modules of the vehicle for riding or the walls may not be connected to the modules of the vehicle for riding at all. As described above, the skating vehicle circuit 50 enclosed in each of the skating vehicle modules can follow instructions for physically disconnecting (for example, performing tripping operations) from the connected skating vehicle module. This can be triggered by some event that occurs during the imitation of the attraction. For example, a cinema vehicle 150 for traveling may mimic a natural disaster that may affect conventional theaters such as earthquakes, jolts or the like, or a video display screen 140 may show a meteor shower in 3D modeling and a deviating meteorite may bump "into screen 140. In any scenario, the cinema vehicle 150 can be split anywhere, so the vehicle modules 152, 154, 156, and 158 are connected at will (for example, side stops ona, front and back sides, diagonally, along a curved line, over many contact surfaces).

This drawing shows a cinema vehicle 150 for skiing, which separates along the sides and front and rear sides, thereby releasing all the vehicle's cinema 152, 154, 156, and 158 modules for skiing. Each vehicle module for riding can function independently after it is uncoupled from other vehicle modules for driving. This allows each vehicle module to skate to move along individual paths in the attraction. More specifically, the circuit 50 of each vehicle module for riding can independently control its own mobile platform system 44 to move (eg, move) the modules of the vehicle for skiing in desired directions. In addition, the mobile platform system 44 may be synchronized with an on-board simulator (not shown) to rotate about the longitudinal axis, rotate about the transverse axis, rotate about the vertical axis, longitudinal movement, vertical movement and / or swinging degrees of freedom). For example, vehicle modules 152, 154, 156 and 158 for skiing can all move along different paths, and one module of a vehicle for skiing can quickly be carried along simulated streets in the business center of the city, trying to escape from an earthquake, while another the means for riding is attached to the roller coaster and flies away from the simulated tornado, alien spaceship, dinosaur or the like, in an airplane. All this time, the system 44 mobile platforms vibrate and oscillate in accordance with the events occurring in the onboard simulator. Thus, each vehicle module 152, 154, 156, and 158 for riding may be subjected to different simulations and / or movements that provide different impressions on the same attraction.

In order to show the different trajectories along which the modules of the vehicle for skiing can move, Figures 8A-8C include a number of top views of the modules of the vehicle for skiing, forming the size of the group through coupling operations during an attraction. It should be noted that each vehicle module for riding may include one or more seats. In addition, the connecting lines between each vehicle skid module may not be visible on the surface of the vehicle skid platform platforms for visitors due to the methods described above. Fig.8A shows a single vehicle 170 for riding at the beginning of the attraction. For example, single skating vehicle 170 may be an “Airplane” skating vehicle or a “Cinema” skating vehicle described above, or it may be any other single skating 170 that includes one or several coupled vehicle modules 172 for riding. At the initial time point (t1), some event activates single skating vehicle 170 to perform tripping operations and split into two different intermediate single skating vehicles 174 and 176, including one or more skating vehicle modules 172. Using the vehicle skating circuit 50, intermediate single skids 174 and 176 for skating can function as whole blocks and are driven or moved along different trajectories. As you can see, intermediate single vehicle 174 for riding can move along the path 178, and intermediate single vehicle 176 for riding can move along the path 180.

As described above, both trajectories 178 and 180 may include different plots, simulations, and movements. In fact, either of the two or both trajectories can include roller coaster tracks that can be connected by intermediate unified vehicles 174 and 176 for riding, water flows and / or water bodies along which intermediate unified vehicles 174 and 178 can float for skiing , road surface, on which intermediate single vehicles 174 and 176 for driving can move, etc. In addition, sound-reproducing and visual reproducing elements, to which intermediate single vehicles 174 and 176 can be exposed to skating, can also be different.

In addition, FIG. 8B shows a top-down view of the trajectory 178, where, at the second point in time (t2), another event may cause intermediate single vehicle 174 for riding to disengage and split into two different intermediate single vehicles 182 and 184 for skiing . Then each intermediate single vehicle 182 and 184 for skiing can move along different paths. For example, intermediate single vehicle 182 for skating can move along trajectory 186, and intermediate single vehicle 184 for skating can move along trajectory 188. Moreover, each intermediate single vehicle 182 and 184 for skating can be subjected to different subjects, imitations and / or move. As may be appreciated, intermediate unified skating vehicles may continue to be divided until only one module of the skating vehicle remains. Whenever an intermediate single vehicle for skiing is divided, the resulting vehicle for skiing (for example, one module of a vehicle for skiing or a subset of modules) can get different impressions. This can serve as an incentive to ride the attraction many times to relive all other experiences.

At some point in the attraction, it may be desirable to re-couple the vehicle modules for riding. So, FIG. 8C shows two intermediate single vehicles 190 and 192 for riding, performing coupling operations, at a third time point (t3) to reconnect. Time t3 may be in response to some event that occurs during an attraction, which may be part of the plot in imitation. For example, in an attraction in which visitors and vehicles for riding are blood cells in the human body, moving through the veins, blood cells can reconnect, entering an artery, or the like. Or in an attraction in which visitors and vehicles for skating are jet fighters, jet fighters may return to an aircraft carrier at the end of a combat mission. Thus, intermediate single vehicles 190 and 192 for riding can be re-coupled to create the desired impression of a single vehicle 194 for riding. At this point, the attraction can be completed and visitors can exit from a single vehicle 194 for riding.

In other embodiments, the divided riding vehicle groups may unload visitors separately at different exit sites, and the rolling vehicles may not reconnect for the next attraction cycle until visitors have left. In addition, other points may be provided throughout the ride, where groups of vehicles for riding perform coupling operations in order to change the size of the group in which they move. In any embodiment, it is necessary to understand that the modules of the vehicle for riding are capable of increasing and decreasing the size of the group in which they move throughout the ride. As a result, a visitor can ride an attraction several times and experience something new, depending on what type of vehicle to ride, the vehicle group or module is placed.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a process 200 of operating modules of a vehicle for riding. Process 200 may include determining the size of the group (process block 202), determining the size of the group (process block 204), and engaging vehicles for rolling (process block 206). More specifically, the determination of the group size (process block 202) can be carried out by means of circuits 50 of vehicles for riding (for example, processors) of a plurality of modules of a vehicle for riding communicating with each other during an attraction. For example, at some point in time in an attraction, an event may occur in a simulation or as part of a course that causes a single vehicle to ride or group to separate, and the vehicle's 50 circuits for riding can determine how many modules of the vehicle to ride include in the divided group (groups). The size of the groups can be stored in a tangible, non-volatile medium (for example, memory) that is associated with a specific time / event during an attraction that may be available for the vehicle circuit 50. As a result, the driving circuit 50 can accordingly set the size of the group (process block 204). Then the modules of the vehicle for riding, which must be uncoupled and disconnected, can perform tripping operations to separate to the specified sizes of groups (process block 206).

In addition, process 200 can be used when the size of the group needs to be increased. For example, at some point in the event, an event may occur that induces one or more groups (for example, intermediate single vehicles for skating) to perform clutch operations in order to reconnect. Vehicle skating circuits 50 may determine the size of the group (s) (process block 202), which may include determining how many modules of the vehicle to skate are meshed together using the methods described in this document. Then, in process block 204, the skating vehicle circuit 50 sets the size of the group and, in process block 206, the modules of the vehicle for skating, respectively, perform clutch operations to obtain a group (s) of the desired sizes.

Although only some features of the present invention are shown and described in this document, many modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is necessary to understand that the appended claims cover all such modifications and changes that are within the spirit of the present invention.

Claims (36)

1. A system for controlling vehicle skid modules, comprising: The set of vehicle modules for riding, each of which contains: a locking system configured to perform clutch operations for connection with other modules of the vehicle for riding to form a group and operations of disengagement for separation from other modules of the vehicle for riding throughout the ride; - a control circuit adapted to control the locking system and the movement of the corresponding vehicle module for riding independently or as part of a group; and - a communication circuit adapted for wireless communication with other vehicle modules for driving inside and / or outside said group; moreover, said group is made with the possibility of resizing throughout the whole attraction by performing coupling and disengaging operations as desired through the control circuit of each of the plurality of vehicle modules for riding, controlling the locking system, and through the communication scheme coordinating operations between the multiple modules of the vehicle for riding . 2. The system according to claim 1, in which at least part of the plurality of modules of the vehicle for riding is made with the possibility of coupling in such a way that the connecting lines are hidden on the surface of the said group. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the connecting lines are hidden using methods including patterns, shading, dimpling, lighting, wedging, covering materials, or any combination thereof. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said group is configured to move together as a single vehicle for riding by coordinating movements between a plurality of vehicle modules for driving using control and communication circuits. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said locking system comprises a T-screw rail system, a latch lock system, a locking system with connecting elements and a locking pin, an electromagnetic lock system, a locking system with a lock, or any combination thereof. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle skating modules each comprises a drive system, a clutch system and a navigation system that interact to drive the corresponding vehicle skid module independently and / or as part of a group throughout total attraction without a fixed track. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle skating modules each comprises a drive system, a clutch system and a navigation system that interact to drive the corresponding vehicle skid module independently and / or as part of a group of different trajectories in the attraction. 8. The system according to claim 1, in which at least one of the plurality of modules of the vehicle for riding contains an attached system of a mobile platform and an onboard simulator, the system of the mobile platform being designed to perform turns about a transverse axis, turns about a longitudinal axis, turns about vertical axis, longitudinal movement, vertical movement and swinging in accordance with the events of the on-board simulator. 9. The system according to claim 1, in which the control circuit uses data obtained by a plurality of sensors attached to the sides of the respective vehicle skid module to drive the vehicle skid module in synchronization with other vehicle skid modules during clutch operations and disengagement through the communication circuit. 10. The system according to claim 1, in which at least one of the plurality of modules of the vehicle for riding contains a navigation system configured to track its position and locate the attraction through the use of methods including a laser-guided system, by wire, gyroscopic system or any combination of them. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle modules for riding in a group form one single vehicle for riding, which forms the common interior of one single vehicle for skiing. 12. A system for coordinating the operation of vehicle skid modules, comprising: a plurality of rolling vehicle modules configured to be synchronously connected to each other in a group by means of any locking system located on one or more sides of each modular rolling vehicle; moreover, a plurality of vehicle modules for riding in a group is configured to move together as one single vehicle for riding through onboard control and communication schemes, and with the possibility of resizing by coupling with other vehicle modules for rolling or disengaging from previously connected vehicle modules for riding throughout the whole ride. 13. The system according to claim 12, in which the modules of the vehicle for skiing are inextricably connected together in a group, so that any connecting lines between the combined modules of the vehicle for skiing are hidden on the surface of the said group. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the connecting lines are hidden by using methods including patterns, shading, dimpling, lighting, wedging, covering materials, or any combination thereof. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the on-board control circuit is configured to drive the group as one single vehicle for skiing by assigning an automation controller to one vehicle module for riding in the group as the main controller, and the remaining automation controllers for other vehicle modules skating in a group is subordinate, and the main controller transmits information related to the management of the group to subordinate controllers through a communication scheme. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to drive the vehicle skating module independently or as part of a group in conjunction with other United vehicle skating modules for moving along a plurality of paths in an attraction. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules of the vehicle for riding is configured to be driven on a movable platform system located along an attraction trajectory. 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the locking system comprises a T-screw rail system, a snap lock system, a lock system with connecting elements and a locking pin, an electromagnetic lock system, a lock lock system, or any combination thereof. 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of vehicle modules for riding, forming a group, form one single vehicle for skiing, which forms the common interior of one single vehicle for skiing. 20. The method of operation of modular vehicles for riding, including: determining, by means of a control circuit, the required size of one or more groups of vehicle modules for riding throughout the ride; establishing, by means of control and communication schemes, the size of said one or more groups; and implementation, by means of a control circuit configured to control a locking system located on each of the modules of the vehicle for riding, and a communication scheme configured to communicate between the modules of the vehicle for rolling, coupling and disengagement operations through locking systems based on said specified size one or more groups throughout the ride. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein determining the required size of one or more groups of vehicle modules for riding is carried out in response to an event that occurs as part of a simulation in an attraction, and includes sampling the size of the group that is stored on non-volatile computer-readable media on the modules vehicle for riding. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the control circuit performs coupling and disengaging operations by means of locking systems by processing data inputted by at least one sensor located on the side of each of the vehicle's modules for riding, and coordinating the operations of locking systems between the modules a vehicle for riding, respectively, for coupling and disengaging by means of a communication circuit. 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein said one or more groups are designed to function together as single vehicles for riding by coordinating the movements of each connected vehicle module for skiing in the respective one or more groups by means of appropriate control and communication circuits. 24. The method according to claim 20, wherein said one or more groups are arranged to move along different paths in an attraction. 25. The method according to claim 20, wherein said one or more groups are arranged to move throughout the whole attraction without a fixed route through the use of navigation systems located on each of the vehicle modules for riding. 26. The method according to claim 20, wherein the modules of the vehicle for riding, forming each of the respective one or more groups, form the corresponding single single vehicle for riding, which forms the common interior of one single vehicle for skiing.

Images